Lion Head Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia
Face-on and level with you, a lion's head fills the roundel of this carved backgammon set — mane radiating in cut locks to the rope rim, brow and muzzle in relief on a cross-hatched ground — leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.
Shut the board and look underneath: a chequered inlay of pale and dark squares takes the middle, the same leaf-and-grape scrolls carved to either side of it.
Inside, a flower is incised in a ring in the middle of each half, incised drop-shaped points with round tips run top and bottom, the bar edges are scalloped, and each outer rail is hollowed into a trough ending in a round cup. Two plain brass-toned hinges, no cut-out grip.
Specifications
- Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
- Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
- Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
- Carving: a lion's head face-on with a radiating mane, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
- Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
- Inside: incised drop-shaped points with round tips, scalloped bar edges and an incised flower in a ring in each half; rail troughs with round cups at the ends
- Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding beech backgammon board
- 32 wooden checkers
- Two dice
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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Eye to eye: the head is carved front-on, not in profile, so the lion looks straight out of the lid at whoever sits opposite.
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A mane of cut locks: the hair is worked lock by lock right out to the rope rim, each ridge catching light from a different angle.
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Cups on the rails: every trough ends in a round hollow that keeps the dice within reach.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the whole lion carved? No, the carving is the head alone, face-on, inside a rope-rimmed roundel between leaf scrolls. The board closes on two plain hinges with no clasps and comes with checkers, a dice set and a carrying bag.
What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free worldwide and tracked. Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.
How do I look after it? Brush the mane and the cross-hatched ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
